Club heads with bounded face to body yield strength ratio and related methods

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include a club head with a bounded face to body yield strength ratio. Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and relates moreparticularly to club heads and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Various characteristics of a golf club can affect the performance of thegolf club. For example, the center of gravity, the moment of inertia,and the coefficient of restitution of the club head of the golf club areeach characteristics of a golf club that can affect performance.

The center of gravity and moment of inertia of the club head of the golfclub are functions of the distribution of mass of the club head. Inparticular, distributing mass of the club head to be closer to a sole ofthe club head, farther from a face of the club head, and/or closer totoe and heel ends of the club head can alter the center of gravityand/or the moment of inertia of the club head. For example, distributingmass of the club head to be closer to the sole of the club head and/orfarther from the face of the club head can increase a flight angle of agolf ball struck with the club head. Meanwhile, increasing the flightangle of a golf ball can increase the distance the golf ball travels.Further, distributing mass of the club head to be closer to the toeand/or heel ends of the club head can affect the moment of inertia ofthe club head, which can alter the forgiveness of the golf club.

Further, the coefficient of restitution of the club head of the golfclub can be a function of at least the flexibility of the face of theclub head. Meanwhile, the flexibility of the face of the club head canbe a function of the geometry (e.g., height, width, and/or thickness) ofthe face and/or the material properties (e.g., Young's modulus) of theface. That is, maximizing the height and/or width of the face, and/orminimizing the thickness and/or Young's modulus of the face, canincrease the flexibility of the face, thereby increasing the coefficientof restitution of the club head; and increasing the coefficient ofrestitution of the club head of the golf club, which is essentially ameasure of the efficiency of energy transfer from the club head to agolf ball, can increase the distance the golf ball travels after impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front, top, heel side view of a club head,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates the club head of FIG. 1 when a perimeter of a faceinsert of the club head is decoupled from a perimeter of a face supportbody of the club head, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the club head of FIG. 1, according tothe embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, illustrates a toe side view of the club head of FIG. 1,according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front, bottom, heel side view of the club head ofFIG. 1, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of a method ofmanufacturing a golf club head;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary activity of providing a face portion,according to the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary activity of providing a support body,according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capableof operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwisedescribed herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more mechanical elementsmay be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically orotherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time,e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

“Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood andinclude mechanical coupling of all types.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable.

In many examples as used herein, the term “approximately” can be usedwhen comparing one or more values, ranges of values, relationships(e.g., position, orientation, etc.) or parameters (e.g., velocity,acceleration, mass, temperature, spin rate, spin direction, etc.) to oneor more other values, ranges of values, or parameters, respectively,and/or when describing a condition (e.g., with respect to time), suchas, for example, a condition of remaining constant with respect to time.In these examples, use of the word “approximately” can mean that thevalue(s), range(s) of values, relationship(s), parameter(s), orcondition(s) are within ±0.5%, ±1.0%, ±2.0%, ±3.0%, ±5.0%, and/or ±10.0%of the related value(s), range(s) of values, relationship(s),parameter(s), or condition(s), as applicable.

DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments include a golf club head. The gold club head cancomprise a face portion and a support body. The face portion cancomprise a first material, and the support body can comprise a secondmaterial. Further, the first material can comprise a yield strength ofthe first material, and the second material can comprise a yieldstrength of the second material. The yield strength ratio of the yieldstrength of the second material to the yield strength of the firstmaterial can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.50. Likewise,the yield strength of the first material can be greater than or equal toapproximately 1378 MegaPascals.

Other embodiments include a method of manufacturing a golf club head.The method can comprise: providing a face portion; and providing asupport body. The face portion can comprise a first material, and thesupport body can comprise a second material. Further, the first materialcan comprise a yield strength of the first material, and the secondmaterial can comprise a yield strength of the second material. The yieldstrength ratio of the yield strength of the second material to the yieldstrength of the first material can be greater than or equal toapproximately 0.50. Likewise, the yield strength of the first materialcan be greater than or equal to approximately 1378 MegaPascals.

Further embodiments include a golf club head. The gold club head cancomprise a face portion and a support body. The face portion cancomprise a first material, and the support body can comprise a secondmaterial. Further, the first material can comprise a yield strength ofthe first material, and the second material can comprise a yieldstrength of the second material. The yield strength ratio of the yieldstrength of the second material to the yield strength of the firstmaterial can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.50. Likewise,the yield strength of the first material can be greater than or equal toapproximately 1378 MegaPascals. Meanwhile, the face portion can becoupled to the support body, the support body can comprise a supportshell, and the golf club head can comprise a wood-type golf club head.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front, top, heel side viewof a club head 100, according to an embodiment. Club head 100 is merelyexemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Clubhead 100 can be employed in many different embodiments or examples notspecifically depicted or described herein.

Regarding club head 100 generally, club head 100 can comprise a golfclub head. The golf club head can be part of a corresponding golf club.Further, the golf club head can be part of a set of golf club heads,and/or the golf club can be part of a set of golf clubs. For example,club head 100 can comprise any suitable wood-type golf club head (e.g.,a driver club head, a fairway wood club head, a hybrid club head, etc.).In many embodiments, club head 100 can comprise a metal wood-type golfclub head, but in these or other embodiments, club head 100 can compriseany suitable materials, provided the materials satisfy certain materialstrength conditions as discussed below. Nonetheless, although club head100 is generally described in implementation with respect to a wood-typegolf club head, club head 100 can also be implemented with any othersuitable golf club head-type. The apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufactured described herein are not limited in this regard.

Club head 100 comprises a top end 101, a bottom end 102 opposite top end101, a front end 103, a rear end 104 opposite front end 103, a toe end105, and a heel end 106 opposite toe end 105, which provide convenientpoints of reference when discussing the elements of club head 100. Inmany embodiments, club head 100 can comprise a face 107, a crown 108, asole 109, and/or a skirt (not illustrated). In some embodiments, sole109 can comprise the skirt. Also, club head 100 can comprise either (i)a hosel and/or a hosel transition portion, or (ii) a bore. Nonetheless,in some embodiments, one or more of the skirt, the hosel, the hoseltransition portion, and the bore can be omitted.

Face 107 can be located at front end 103. Meanwhile, crown 108 can be atleast partially located at top end 101, and can interface with face 107at top end 101, such as, for example, at a crown intersection 111 ofclub head 100. Further, sole 109 can be at least partially located atbottom end 102, and can interface with face 107 at bottom end 102, suchas, for example, at a sole intersection 112 of club head 100. In manyexamples, crown intersection 111 and/or sole intersection 112 can becurved or faceted, providing smooth (or substantially smooth)transitions between face 107 and crown 108 and/or face 107 and sole 108,respectively. In these embodiments, crown intersection 111 can refer toa crown radius of club head 100 and/or sole intersection 112 can referto a lead edge radius of club head 100. In other embodiments, crownintersection 111 and/or sole intersection 112 can be angular, providingsharp transitions between face 107 and crown 108 and/or face 107 andsole 109, respectively.

When implemented, the skirt can be located between crown 108 and sole109, and can extend between toe end 105 and heel end 106. In someembodiments, the skirt can extend between crown 108 and sole 109completely around to face 107 at toe end 105 and/or at heel end 106,while in other embodiments, the skirt surface can extend less than allof the way to face 107 at toe end 105 and/or at heel end 106.

In some embodiments, crown 108 and sole 109 can interface with eachother, such as, for example, at rear end 104, toe end 105, and/or heelend 106. However, in other embodiments, such as, for example, when clubhead 100 comprises the skirt, and the skirt extends from face 107 at toeend 105 to face surface 107 at heel end 106, crown 108 and sole 109 maynot interface with each other at all, but rather with the skirt. Likewith crown intersection 111 and/or sole intersection 112, the interfacesof crown 108 and sole 109 with each other and/or with the skirt can besmooth and/or sharp. Further, when applicable, the interfaces of theskirt with face 107 can also be smooth and/or sharp.

Face 107 can refer to a striking face of club head 100, and can comprisea face surface configured to impact a ball (not shown), such as, forexample, a golf ball. Club head 100 and/or the face surface of face 107can comprise a face center. Meanwhile, the face center of the facesurface of face 107 can refer to a location at the face surface of face107 that is equidistant between toe end 105 and heel end 106 and furtherthat is equidistant between top end 101 and bottom end 102. In variousexamples, the face center can refer to the face center as defined atUnited States Golf Association: Procedure for Measuring the Flexibilityof a Golf Clubhead, USGA-TPX 3004, Revision 1.0.0, p. 6, May 1, 2008(retrieved Sep. 18, 2013 fromhttp://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Test-Protocols-For-Equipment),which is incorporated herein by reference. In many embodiments, face 107(and/or face portion 113 as discussed below) can comprise one or morescoring lines (e.g., grooves). The scoring line(s) can extend betweentoe end 105 and heel end 106.

Further, club head 100 can comprise a heel-toe axis and a front-rearaxis. The heel-toe axis of club head 100 can refer to a reference axisextending between toe end 105 and heel end 106, and the front-rear axisof club head 100 can refer to a reference axis extending between frontend 103 and rear end 104. The heel-toe axis and front-rear axis of clubhead 100 can be approximately perpendicular to each other, and also canbe approximately parallel to a ground plane when club head 100 ispositioned in an address configuration. The address configuration canrefer to a configuration of club head 100 in which club head 100 ispositioned to address a golf ball (e.g., by a user as part of a golfclub) while club head 100 is in a resting state. In other embodiments,the address configuration can refer to a configuration of club head 100in which club head 100 is balanced (e.g., at sole 109) on a levelsurface (e.g., a ground surface) and acted upon only by gravity. Inthese or other embodiments, club head 100 can be decoupled from theshaft.

Also, club head 100 can comprise a loft plane. The loft plane can referto a plane that intersects the face center of the face surface of face107 and that is approximately parallel with face 107 when club head 100is positioned in the address configuration. When face 107 is planarand/or substantially planar, face 107 and the loft plane can beapproximately co-planar. Meanwhile, when face 107 is non-planar (e.g.,curved), the loft plane can be tangent to the face center of face 107,and at least part of face 107 can be located in front of or behind theloft plane.

The hosel and the hosel transition portion of club head 100, or whenapplicable, the bore of club head 100, can be located at or proximate toheel end 106. In various embodiments, an opening of the bore of clubhead 100 can be located at or proximate to crown 108. Further, a hoselport can be located at or proximate to sole 109 and/or opposite theopening of the bore or an opening of the hosel. In embodiments whereclub head 100 comprises the hosel and/or the hosel transition portion,the bore can be omitted, and vice versa. The hosel port can beimplemented with the hosel of club head 100, or when applicable, thebore of club head 100.

Meanwhile, although a shaft is not illustrated at the drawings, thehosel of club head 100, or when applicable, the bore of club head 100,can be configured to receive a shaft (i.e., via the opening of the hoselor the bore), such as, for example, a golf club shaft. Accordingly, thehosel or the bore can receive the shaft and permit the shaft to becoupled (e.g., permanently or removably) to club head 100 when the hoselor the bore receives the shaft. In some embodiments, the hosel or thebore can be further configured to couple the shaft to club head 100,such as, for example, via threaded coupling. Further or alternatively,and as applicable, a bolt can be implemented to couple the shaft to clubhead 100 at the hosel port, opposite of the opening of the hosel or thebore and towards sole 102. In these embodiments, the shaft, whenreceived at the hosel or the bore, can pass through club head 100 to thehosel port.

Club head 100 can comprise one or more branding and/or other symbols,such as, for example, to indicate a manufacturer of club head 100. Inother embodiments, the branding and/or other symbol(s) can be omitted.

In some embodiments, club head 100 can comprise a face portion 113 and asupport body 114. As explained in detail below, various advantages ofclub head 100 can be provided by binding one or more characteristics(e.g., material characteristics) of face portion 113 to thosecorresponding characteristics of support body 114, and vice versa. Forexample, club head 100 can be configured so that a materialcharacteristic (e.g., yield strength) of face portion 113 isapproximately bound within a predetermined ratio (e.g., as a maximumratio or minimum ratio) with a corresponding material characteristic(e.g., yield strength) of support body 114.

Focusing initially on face portion 113, face portion 113 can beimplemented according to numerous embodiments. That is, face portion 113can comprise some or all of face 107 in some embodiments, and moreover,can also be part of crown 108 and/or sole 109 in some of thoseembodiments when face portion 113 comprises all of face 107.

For example, in some embodiments, face portion 113 comprises face 107.In some of these embodiments, face portion 113 is face 107. However, asdiscussed previously, in further embodiments, face portion 113 cancomprise more of club head 100 than face 107, such as, for example, acrown face portion, a sole face portion, and/or one or two skirt faceportions. In these embodiments, as applicable, crown 108 comprises thecrown face portion, sole 109 comprises the sole face portion, and theskirt comprises the skirt face portion(s). When implemented, the skirtface portions can comprise a toe end skirt face portion and/or a heelend skirt face portion. Generally, face portion 113 can comprise theskirt face portion(s) when the skirt face portion(s) are implemented andthe skirt extends between crown 108 and sole 109 completely around toface 107 at toe end 105 and/or at heel end 106. In other embodiments,the crown face portion, the sole face portion, and/or the skirt faceportion(s) can be omitted, such as, for example, when face portion 113is face 107, and/or when face portion 113 comprises face insert 117, asdiscussed below. Generally, even though the crown face portion and/orsole face portion may be implemented, the skirt face portion(s) can beomitted when the the skirt extends between crown 108 and sole 109, butless than completely around to face 107 at toe end 105 and/or at heelend 106, thereby not interfacing with face 107. In other words,implementation of the crown face portion, sole face portion, and/orskirt face portion(s) can depend on whether and the manner in which face107, crown 108, sole 109, and/or the skirt are implemented. In someembodiments, when face portion 113 comprises the crown face portion andthe sole face portion (and the skirt face portions if applicable), faceportion 113 can form a cup shape.

As illustrated at FIG. 1, in many embodiments, face portion 113 cancomprise face insert 117. In these embodiments, face 107 can compriseface portion 113 and/or face insert 117. When face portion 113 comprisesface insert 117, face insert 117 can comprise a strike plate of clubhead 100. Accordingly, when face portion 113 is limited to face insert117, face portion 113 can comprise only a portion of face 107.

Meanwhile, in these embodiments, support body 114 also can comprise aface support body 118, which can comprise a remaining portion of face107. In some embodiments, face support body 118 can comprise facesupport body top portion 119 and/or face support body bottom portion120, and/or can comprise one or more other portions depending on themanner in which face insert 117 is implemented (e.g., the shape and/orsize of face insert 117). In these embodiments, when applicable, facesupport body top portion 119, face support body bottom portion 120, etc.can be continuous or discontinuous with each other, again depending onthe manner in which face insert 117 is implemented. Notably, in manyembodiments, face support body 118 completely surrounds a perimeter edge123 of face insert 117, thereby being completely continuous about faceinsert 117. Still, in other embodiments, face support body 118, facesupport body top portion 119, and/or face support body bottom portion120 can be omitted, such as, for example, when face portion 113 isimplemented such that face portion 113 does not comprise face insert117.

Face insert 117 can comprise a front surface 121, a rear surface 222(FIG. 2) opposite front surface 121, and perimeter edge 123. Meanwhile,in these embodiments, face support body 118 can comprise a front surface124, a rear surface 225 (FIG. 2) opposite front surface 124, and aperimeter edge 126.

In these embodiments, face support body top portion 119 also cancomprise a front surface 127, a rear surface 228 (FIG. 2) opposite frontsurface 127, and a perimeter edge 129; and/or face support body bottomportion 120 also can comprise a front surface 130, a rear surface 231(FIG. 2) opposite front surface 130, and a perimeter edge 132.Meanwhile, front surface 124 of face support body 118 can comprise frontsurface 127 and/or front surface 130; rear surface 225 (FIG. 2) of facesupport body 118 can comprise rear surface 228 (FIG. 2) and/or rearsurface 231 (FIG. 2); and perimeter edge 126 of face support body 118can comprise perimeter edge 129 and/or perimeter edge 132.

Turning focus now to support body 114, in many embodiments, support body114 can comprise a crown support body 115, a sole support body 116,and/or a skirt support body. In these embodiments, crown 108 comprisescrown support body 115, sole 109 comprises sole support body 116, and/orthe skirt comprises the skirt support body. In some embodiments, crownsupport body 115 is crown 108, sole support body 116 is sole 109, and/orthe skirt support body is the skirt, such as, for example, when thecrown face portion, the sole face portion, and/or the skirt faceportions are omitted, respectively.

Club head 100 can be solid, hollow, or partially hollow. When club head100 is hollow or partially hollow, support body 114 can comprise asupport shell. When the support shell is coupled to face portion 113, asdiscussed below, face portion 113 and the support shell can provide andenclose or substantially enclose a void space of club head 100. In someembodiments, the void space can be empty, though in other embodiments,the void space can be filled and/or partially filled with a fillermaterial different from a material of face portion 113 and/or thesupport shell. For example, the filler material can comprise plasticfoam.

In many embodiments, face portion 113 can be coupled to support body114. Face portion 113 can be coupled to support body 114 mechanically(e.g., via one or more coupling mechanisms and/or via a friction fit,etc.) and/or by bonding (e.g., via welding, via crimping, via brazing,via soldering, and/or via adhesive, etc.).

When face portion 113 is face 107, face portion 113 can be coupled tosupport body 114 at crown intersection 111, sole intersection 112,and/or when applicable, the intersection(s) of the skirt with face 107.Meanwhile, when face portion 113 comprises the crown face portion, thesole face portion, and/or the skirt face portion(s) (i.e., face portion113 comprises more than face 107), face portion 113 can be coupled tosupport body 114 at the intersections of the crown face portion, thesole face portion, and/or the skirt face portion(s) with crown supportbody 115, sole support body 116, and/or the skirt support body,respectively. Further, when face portion 113 comprises face insert 117,perimeter edge 123 of face portion 113 can be coupled to perimeter edge126 of support body 114. Although the foregoing may suggest theinterface between face portion 113 and support body 114 is uniform(e.g., planar), in some embodiments, face portion 113 may comprise oneor more face portions (e.g., the crown face portion, the sole faceportion, and/or the skirt face portion(s), etc.) in the same embodimentsin which support body 114 comprises one or more body portions (e.g.,crown support body 115, sole support body 116, and/or skirt the supportbody, etc.) such that the interface between face portion 113 and supportbody 114 may be non-uniform (e.g., non-planar).

Meanwhile, when face portion 113 comprises face insert 117, perimeteredge 123 can substantially correspond in shape to perimeter edge 126.Although the shape of perimeter edge 123 and perimeter edge 126 can beany suitable shape. The shape can be regular or irregular. In specificexamples, the shape can be (e.g., approximately) a circle, an ellipse,or a polygon. In many embodiments, the shape can be oblong and cancomprise a major axis and minor axis. Generally, the major axis can beoriented in any suitable manner, though in many embodiments, the majoraxis can intersect the face center of the face surface of face 107.Further, the major axis can be oriented approximately parallel ororthogonal to the heel-toe axis of club head 100. However, in stillother embodiments, the major axis can be oriented at an angle (e.g., acomplimentary angle) with respect to the heel-toe axis of club head 100.

As discussed previously, the center of gravity and moment of inertia ofclub head 100 are functions of the distribution of mass of club head100. By reducing a thickness of face 107 and/or face portion 113 (i.e.,a mass of face 107 and/or face portion 113), additional mass can bedistributed elsewhere at club head 100. For example, the mass savings offace 107 and/or face portion 113 can be distributed closer to sole 109,farther from face 107, and/or closer to toe end 105 and/or heel end 106,thereby altering the center of gravity and/or the moment of inertia ofclub head 100. Meanwhile, distributing such mass of club head 100 closerto sole 109 and/or farther from face 107 can increase a flight angle ofa golf ball struck with club head 100, and, increasing the flight angleof a golf ball can increase the distance the golf ball travels afterimpact. Further, distributing the mass savings of face 107 and/or faceportion 113 to be closer to toe end 105 and/or heel end 106 can affectthe moment of inertia of club head 100, which can alter the forgivenessof club head 100.

Likewise, the coefficient of restitution of club head 100 can be afunction of at least the flexibility of face 107 and/or face portion113. By reducing a thickness of face 107 and/or face portion 113, theflexibility of face 107 and/or face portion 113 can be increased,thereby increasing the coefficient of restitution of club head 100.Increasing the coefficient of restitution of club head 100 can increasethe distance a golf ball travels after impact.

Accordingly, it can be seen that reducing a thickness of face 107 and/orface portion 113 can advantageously improve the performance of club head100. However, as a practical matter, the extent to which the thicknessof face 107 and/or face portion 113 can be reduced can be constrained bya durability of face 107 and/or face portion 113. Specifically, as thethickness of face 107 and/or face portion 113 is reduced, the durabilitycan also be reduced. Meanwhile, insufficient durability can result inplastic deformation, cracking, and failure of club head 100.

To offset a reduction in durability due to reducing a thickness of face107 and/or face portion 113, one possible solution is to increase astrength (e.g., yield strength, ultimate strength, etc.) of club head100, face 107, and/or face portion 113. Specifically, increasing thestrength (e.g., yield strength, ultimate strength, etc.) of club head100, face 107, and/or face portion 113 can permit additional reductionsin the thickness of face 107 and/or face portion 113 before plasticdeformation, cracking, and failure of club head 100 would result. Inimplementation, increasing the strength (e.g., yield strength, ultimatestrength, etc.) of club head 100, face 107, and/or face portion 113 canbe accomplished through material selection, heat treatment, and/or othermanufacturing conditions. However, as a practical matter, using a higherstrength (e.g., yield strength, ultimate strength, etc.) material forall of club head 100 may be impractical due to material and/ormanufacturing costs. Accordingly, it may be desirable to use the higherstrength (e.g., yield strength, ultimate strength, etc.) material onlyat face 107 and/or face portion 113 while using another material (e.g.,with lower strength) for part or all of the remainder of club head 100(e.g., support body 114), such as, for example, to reduce materialand/or manufacturing costs. Nonetheless, where there is too great adifference in the strength (e.g., yield strength, ultimate strength,etc.) of the higher strength material and the other material, peakstresses can develop where face portion 113 couples and/or transitionsto support body 114. These peak stresses can still lead to plasticdeformation, cracking, and failure of club head 100, at least withrepeated use.

One possible solution to bridge the strength (e.g., yield strength,ultimate strength, etc.) gap between the higher strength material andthe other material is to thicken club head 100 and/or implementreinforcing structures (e.g., ribs) where face portion 113 couplesand/or transitions to support body 114. Thickening club head 100 and/orimplementing reinforcing structures (e.g., ribs) where face portion 113couples and/or transitions to support body 114 can distribute stressesover more area and prevent the other material from yielding. Anotherpossible solution is to constrain the difference in the strength (e.g.,yield strength, ultimate strength, etc.) of the higher strength materialand the other material. This latter solution can be advantageouscompared to the former solution because thickening club head 100 and/orimplementing reinforcing structures (e.g., ribs) where face portion 113couples and/or transitions to support body 114 results in a reducedability to distribute mass elsewhere at club head 100. Indeed,thickening club head 100 and/or implementing reinforcing structures(e.g., ribs) where face portion 113 couples and/or transitions tosupport body 114 may even offset the other mass saved by thinning face107 and/or face portion 113. Accordingly, the latter approach can permitfor increased ability to optimize the center of gravity and moment ofinertia of club head 100 because the area of club head 100 where faceportion 113 couples and/or transitions to support body 114 can requireless mass. Further, by not thickening club head 100 and/or implementingreinforcing structures (e.g., ribs) where face portion 113 couplesand/or transitions to support body 114, the flexibility of face 107and/or face portion 113 can be greater.

Accordingly, face portion 113 can comprise a first material, and supportbody 114 can comprise a second material. The first material can comprisea hardness, yield strength, and/or ultimate strength of the firstmaterial, and the second material can comprise a hardness, yieldstrength, and/or ultimate strength of the second material. In manyembodiments, the first material can differ from the second material.Likewise, the yield strength and/or ultimate strength of the firstmaterial can differ from the yield strength and/or ultimate strength ofthe second material, respectively.

In many embodiments, the yield strength of the first material can begreater than or equal to approximately 910.0 MegaPascals, 1034MegaPascals, 1242 MegaPascals, 1378 MegaPascals, or 1720 MegaPascals. Insome of these embodiments or in other embodiments, the yield strength ofthe first material can be less than or equal to approximately 1138,1242, or 1720 MegaPascals. In some specific embodiments, the yieldstrength of the first material can be approximately 1172 MegaPascals or1655 MegaPascals.

In some embodiments, the ultimate strength of the first material can begreater than or equal to approximately 1034 MegaPascals or 1770MegaPascals and/or can be less than or equal to approximately 1275MegaPascals or 2172 MegaPascals. In some specific embodiments, theultimate strength can be approximately 1724 MegaPascals, 1896MegaPascals, or 1979 MegaPascals.

In some embodiments, the yield strength of the second material can begreater than or equal to approximately 1103 MegaPascals. Further, theultimate strength of the second material can be greater than or equal toapproximately 1276 MegaPascals.

In many embodiments, the yield strength of the second material can begreater than or equal to approximately 275 MegaPascals, 344 MegaPascals,551 MegaPascals, 689 MegaPascals, 758 MegaPascals, or 792 MegaPascals.In some of these embodiments or in other embodiments, the yield strengthof the second material can be less than or equal to approximately 310MegaPascals, 414 MegaPascals, 759 MegaPascals, 828 MegaPascals, 862MegaPascals, or 897 MegaPascals.

Meanwhile, as introduced previously above, one or more characteristicsof the first material can be bound to those correspondingcharacteristics of the second material, and vice versa. For example, inmany embodiments, a yield strength ratio of the yield strength of thesecond material to the yield strength of the first material can begreater than or equal to approximately 0.50. In some embodiments, theyield strength ratio can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.63.In these or other embodiments, an ultimate strength ratio of theultimate strength of the second material to the ultimate strength of thefirst material can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.50. Insome embodiments, the ultimate strength ratio can be greater than orequal to approximately 0.63. In further embodiments, the ultimatestrength can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.74. In theseembodiments, the exemplary yield strengths and/or ultimate strengthsprovided would conform to the yield strength ratio and/or the ultimatestrength ratio.

In other embodiments, the hardness of the first material can be greaterthan or equal to approximately 50 Rockwell Hardness Scale C (HRC) and/orcan be less than or equal to approximately 56 HRC. In some embodiments,the hardness can be approximately 52.5 HRC or 53.5 HRC.

In many embodiments, the first material can comprise iron and/ortitanium. In some embodiments, the first material can comprise an ironalloy and/or a titanium alloy. In specific examples, the first materialcan comprise carpenter grade 455 steel and/or carpenter grade 475 steel.In other specific examples, the first material can comprise Ti SSAT2041titanium alloy, Ti SP700 titanium alloy, Ti 15-0-3 titanium alloy, Ti15-5-3 titanium alloy, or Ti-9 titanium alloy or any combination thereof

In many embodiments, the second material can comprise iron and/ortitanium. In some embodiments, the second material can comprise an ironalloy and/or a titanium alloy. In specific examples, the second materialcan comprise heat treated 17-4 stainless steel, 431SS steel, 8620 steel,1020 steel, or 1025 steel. In other specific examples, the secondmaterial can comprise Ti 6-4 titanium alloy, Ti 811 titanium alloy, orTi 9S titanium alloy or any combination thereof.

In many embodiments, a thickness of face portion 113 at the face centerof face portion 113 can be less than or equal to approximately 0.1905centimeters, 0.2540 centimeters, 0.2794 centimeters, 0.3556 centimeters,or 0.3683 centimeters. In some of these embodiments, the thickness canbe greater than or equal to approximately 0.1143 centimeters, 0.1270centimeters, 0.1828 centimeters, or 0.1905 centimeters.

In many embodiments, face portion 113 can consist essentially of thefirst material. In these embodiments, the first material can account forat least 90%, 95% or 98% of a volume of face portion 113. In these orother embodiments, the first material can contribute account for atleast 90%, 95% or 98% of a weighted average of the strength (e.g., yieldstrength and/or ultimate strength) of face portion 113.

In many embodiments, support body 114 can consist essentially of thesecond material. In these embodiments, the second material can accountfor at least 90%, 95% or 98% of a volume of support body 114. In theseor other embodiments, the second material can contribute account for atleast 90%, 95% or 98% of a weighted average of the strength (e.g., yieldstrength and/or ultimate strength) of support body 114.

In some embodiments, crown 108 and/or crown support body 115 can consistessentially of the second material. In these embodiments, the secondmaterial can account for at least 90%, 95% or 98% of a volume of crown108 and/or crown support body 115, respectively. In these or otherembodiments, the second material can contribute account for at least90%, 95% or 98% of a weighted average of the strength (e.g., yieldstrength and/or ultimate strength) of crown 108 and/or crown supportbody 115, respectively.

In some embodiments, sole 109 and/or sole support body 116 can consistessentially of the second material. In these embodiments, the secondmaterial can account for at least 90%, 95% or 98% of a volume of sole109 and/or sole support body 116, respectively. In these or otherembodiments, the second material can contribute account for at least90%, 95% or 98% of a weighted average of the strength (e.g., yieldstrength and/or ultimate strength) of sole 109 and/or sole support body116, respectively.

Notably, club head 100 can comprise elements other than face portion 113and support body 114, such as, for example, material coatings, weights,ornamentation, etc.. Accordingly, the foregoing discussion ofembodiments where face portion 113 consists essentially of the firstmaterial and/or where support body 113, crown 108, crown support body115, sole 109, and/or sole support body 116 consists essentially of thesecond material is intended to make clear that in some embodiments, theelements of club head 100 that do not materially contribute to thestructural integrity of club head 100 can be excluded from the conceptscontemplated herein.

Further, in some embodiments, it may not be necessary that all ofsupport body 114 comprise the second material. In these embodiments, itmay be sufficient that only part of support body 114 comprises thesecond material. For example, it may be sufficient that support body 114comprises the second material within a certain distance away from theloft plane of club head 100 and/or the area of club head 100 where faceportion 113 couples and/or transitions to support body 114. For example,support body 114 can comprise the second material where support body 114is within 0.20 centimeters, 0.30 centimeters, or 0.40 centimeters of theloft plane of club head 100 and/or the area of club head 100 where faceportion 113 couples and/or transitions to support body 114. Thisdistance can be measured in a direction parallel to a front-rear axis ofclub head 100.

Moreover, although the foregoing generally discusses on constrainingstrength ratios of face portion 113 to support body 114, these conceptscan also be applied to other embodiments, such as, for example, wherecrown 108 is coupled to a remainder of club head 100 and/or where sole109 is coupled to a remainder of club head 100. In these embodiments,crown 108 or sole 109 could be implemented with increased strengthmaterials in comparison to the remainder of club head 100. However,generally, applying these concepts to embodiments where face portion 113is coupled to support body 114 may be more advantageous from thestandpoint that face portion 113 may experience more impact stressesthan crown 108 and/or sole 109. Nonetheless, it may be desirable toapply one these concepts in these other embodiments when club head 100is manufactured according to a crown pull or sole pull approach, asopposed to a face pull approach.

FIG. 2 illustrates club head 100 when perimeter 123 of face insert 117is decoupled from perimeter 126 of face support body 118, according tothe embodiment of FIG. 1. Notably, FIG. 2 is intended in part to providevisual context for rear surfaces 222, 225, 228, and 231.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 3-5 illustrate club head 100 from other views.Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of club head 100,according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 4, illustrates a toe sideview of club head 100, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; and FIG. 5illustrates a front, bottom, heel side view of club head 100, accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for anembodiment of method 600 of manufacturing a golf club head. Method 600is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presentedherein. Method 600 can be employed in many different embodiments orexamples not specifically depicted or described herein. In someembodiments, the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes ofmethod 600 can be performed in the order presented. In otherembodiments, the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes ofmethod 600 can be performed in any other suitable order. In still otherembodiments, one or more of the activities, the procedures, and/or theprocesses in method 600 can be combined or skipped. In many embodiments,the club head can be similar or identical to club head 100 (FIGS. 1-5).

Method 600 can comprise activity 601 of providing a face portion. Theface portion can be similar or identical to face portion 113 (FIGS.1-5). FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary activity 601.

Activity 601 can comprise activity 701 of providing a first material.The first material can be similar or identical to the first materialdescribed above with respect to club head 100 (FIGS. 1-5).

In many embodiments, activity 601 also can comprise activity 702 ofproviding a face insert. The face insert can be similar or identical toface insert 117 (FIGS. 1 & 2). In some embodiments, activity 702 can beomitted.

In some embodiments, activity 601 can further comprise activity 703 ofcasting the face portion of the first material.

In other embodiments, activity 601 can comprise activity 704 of formingthe face portion of the first material. In many embodiments, whenactivity 704 is performed, activity 703 can be omitted, and vice versa.

Referring back to FIG. 6, method 600 can comprise activity 602 ofproviding a support body. The support body can be similar or identicalto support body 114 (FIGS. 1-5). FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplaryactivity 602.

Activity 602 can comprise activity 801 of providing a second material.The second material can be similar or identical to the second materialdescribed above with respect to club head 100 (FIGS. 1-5).

Activity 602 also can comprise activity 802 of casting the face portionof the second material.

Activity 602 can comprise activity 803 of forming the face portion ofthe second material. In many embodiments, when activity 803 isperformed, activity 802 can be omitted, and vice versa.

Referring again back to FIG. 6, method 600 can comprise activity 603 ofcoupling the face portion to the support body. Performing activity 603can comprise coupling the face portion to the support body in anysuitable manner, such as, for example, as provided for above withrespect to club head 100 (FIGS. 1-5). In many embodiments, performingactivity 603 can comprise welding the face portion to the support body.

Other embodiments can include (1) a method of manufacturing a golf clubhead comprising providing a crown and providing a remainder of the golfclub head, and/or (2) a method of manufacturing a golf club headcomprising providing a sole and providing a remainder of the golf clubhead. These embodiments can be similar to method 600 but with respect toa higher strength (e.g., yield strength and/or ultimate strength) crownor sole.

Although the golf club heads and related methods herein have beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will bereadily apparent that activities 601-603 of FIG. 6, activities 701-704of FIG. 7, and/or activities 801-803 of FIG. 8 may be comprised of manydifferent procedures, processes, and activities and be performed by manydifferent modules, in many different orders, that any element of FIGS.1-8 may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain ofthese embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete descriptionof all possible embodiments.

Further, while the above examples may be described in connection with awood-type golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golfclubs such as an iron-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, or aputter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be applicable other type ofsports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishingpole, a ski pole, etc.

Additional examples of such changes and others have been given in theforegoing description. Other permutations of the different embodimentshaving one or more of the features of the various figures are likewisecontemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawingsherein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosureand is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope ofthis application shall be limited only to the extent required by theappended claims.

The club heads and related methods discussed herein may be implementedin a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of certain ofthese embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete descriptionof all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of thedrawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferredembodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theembodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacementof one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and notrepair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions toproblems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly statedin such claim.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulationsmay be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golfstandard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United StatesGolf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be conforming ornon-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly,golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/orsold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited inthis regard.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is: 1) A golf club head comprising: a face portioncomprising a first material having a first yield strength, the firstyield strength being greater than or equal to approximately 910MegaPascals; and a support body comprising a second material having asecond yield strength, the support body being configured to be coupledto the face portion; wherein: a yield strength ratio of the second yieldstrength to the first yield strength is greater than or equal toapproximately 0.50. 2) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the yieldstrength ratio is greater than or equal to approximately 0.63. 3) Thegolf club head of claim 1 wherein: the first yield strength is greaterthan or equal to approximately 1378 MegaPascals. 4) The golf club headof claim 3 wherein: the yield strength ratio is greater than or equal toapproximately 0.63. 5) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the firstyield strength is greater than or equal to approximately 1655MegaPascals. 6) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the first yieldstrength is greater than or equal to approximately 1720 MegaPascals. 7)The golf club head of claim 6 wherein: the yield strength ratio isgreater than or equal to approximately 0.63. 8) The golf club head ofclaim 1 wherein: the face portion consists essentially of the firstmaterial. 9) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the support bodycomprises a crown support body; the golf club head comprises a crown,and the crown comprises the crown support body; and the crown supportbody consists essentially of the second material. 10) The golf club headof claim 1 wherein: the support body comprises a sole support body; thegolf club head comprises a sole, and the sole comprises the sole supportbody; and the sole support body consists essentially of the secondmaterial. 11) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the face portioncomprises a face insert; the golf club head comprises a face comprisingthe face insert; and the face insert comprises a face insert frontsurface, a face insert rear surface opposite the face insert frontsurface, and a face insert perimeter edge. 12) The golf club head ofclaim 1 wherein: the face portion comprises at least one of a crown faceportion or a sole face portion; the golf club head comprises a crown anda sole; when the face portion comprises the crown face portion, thecrown comprises the crown face portion; and when the face portioncomprises the sole face portion, the sole comprises the sole faceportion. 13) The golf club head of claim 1 wherein at least one of: thefirst material comprises one of iron or titanium; the second materialcomprises one of iron or titanium; or the face portion comprises a facecenter, and a thickness of the face portion at the face center is lessthan or equal to approximately 0.2540 centimeters. 14) The golf clubhead of claim 13 wherein: the thickness of the face portion at the facecenter is less than or equal to approximately 0.1905 centimeters. 15)The golf club head of claim 1 wherein: the golf club head comprises awood-type golf club head. 16) A method of manufacturing a golf clubhead, the method comprising: providing a face portion comprising a firstmaterial having a first yield strength, the first yield strength beinggreater than or equal to approximately 1378 MegaPascals; and providing asupport body comprising a second material having a second yieldstrength, the support body being configured to be coupled to the faceportion; wherein: a yield strength ratio of the second yield strength tothe first yield strength is greater than or equal to approximately 0.50.17) The method of claim 16 wherein at least one of: the yield strengthratio is greater than or equal to approximately 0.63; or the first yieldstrength is greater than or equal to approximately 1720 MegaPascals. 18)The method of claim 16 further comprising: coupling the face portion tothe support body. 19) The method of claim 18 wherein: coupling the faceportion to the support body comprises welding the face portion to thesupport body. 20) The method of claim 16 wherein: providing the faceportion comprises providing a face insert having a face insert perimeteredge with an elliptical shape. 21) A golf club head comprising: a faceportion comprising a first material having a first yield strength, thefirst yield strength being greater than or equal to approximately 1378MegaPascals; and a support body comprising a second material having asecond yield strength, the support body being coupled to the faceportion; wherein: a yield strength ratio of the second yield strength tothe first yield strength is greater than or equal to approximately 0.50;the support body comprises a support shell; and the golf club headcomprises a wood-type golf club head. 22) The method of claim 21 whereinat least one of: the yield strength ratio is greater than or equal toapproximately 0.63; or the first yield strength is greater than or equalto approximately 1720 MegaPascals.